Rams Cut Michael Sam, Player Who Made History

by Rosalyn Oshmyansky
3:45 PM PDT, August 30, 2014

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Michael Sam was released by the St. Louis Rams when the team was reduced to 53 players from 75 today. Michael made history as the first openly gay player to be drafted in the NFL. It was in competition that he came up short compared to Ethan Westbrooks.

According to one of ESPN's league sources, "The Rams would like to bring Sam back to their 10-man practice squad."

ESPN also reported that Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher said, "There will be no challenge, no challenges whatsoever" for any team that picks him up.

Michael went on Twitter to express his thanks to the Rams saying,

"I want to thank the entire Rams organization and the city of St. Louis for giving me this tremendous opportunity and allowing me to show I can play at this level.
I look forward to continuing to build on the progress I made here toward a long and successful career. The most worthwhile things in life rarely come easy, this is a lesson I've always known. The journey continues."

The 24-year-old defensive end played for the University of Missouri and came out as gay at the end of the 2013 season. He was chosen in the seventh round of the NFL draft.

Michael won the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY Awards. Watch his moving speech below.